Our Projects > The Big Opportunity

During the Summer of 2012 London will play host to the world’s largest sporting and cultural event.  London Civic Forum was involved in the planning of the bid for the London 2012 Games from its early stages in 2004 and played a key role in running the community consultation events that built support and informed the Mayor’s Office and the Government.  

The Big Opportunity – the voluntary and community sector’s voice on London 2012 - is part of London Civic Forum’s continued commitment to ensuring that Londoners get the opportunity to help shape the way the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games impact on their lives. 

We are working with partners to ensure that we deliver on the promise made to the world when London won the bid: that London would host an inspirational and inclusive Olympic Games that left a lasting legacy for future generations.

Our Work  

Most of our work revolves around ensuring that the voluntary and community sector is aware of the existing opportunities to benefit from the Games.  This work breaks down broadly into the following areas:  

• Jobs and training
• Sustainable living and  environment improvements
• Winning 2012 related business contracts
• Community participation in the Cultural Olympiad  
• Increased participation in sport and physical activity    

Our Partnership 

To achieve this aim London Civic Forum works closely with London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) who run The Big Opportunity information service which is funded by a grant from the London Development Agency. This service provides a single point of contact for the voluntary and community sector on all issues and opportunities related to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

For more information visit The Big Opportunity website. If you wish to subscribe to the Big Opportunity e-bulletin please visit www.lvsc.org.uk/tbo  where you will find a sign up form

Our wider network includes 800+ organisations representing 1.5 million Londoners. As a member of the London Regional Consortium of ChangeUp, The Big Opportunity works with national, regional and local government to build capacity and increase resources for the Voluntary and Community Sector in London.

The Big Opportunity is advised by a steering group comprised of specialists from 21 organisations:

• Age Concern 
• Aston Mansfield
• Black Neighbourhood Regeneration and Renewal Network 
• Citizens  Advice Bureaux (London Region)
• East London CVS Network
• East London Small Business Centre
• Greater London Volunteering
• Interactive Disability Equality in Sport
• London Civic Forum
• London Community Resource Network
• London Federation of Sport & Recreation
• London Voluntary Service Council
• London Youth
• Media Trust
• Planning Aid for London
• Royal College of Nursing – London Region
• Shelter (London Region)
• SkillsActive  
• Social Enterprise London
• St. John Ambulance
• Toynbee Hall

Membership of the Big Opportunity steering group is currently closed. However, if you would like to be considered for membership in 2010, please contact Paul Bower for application materials and additional information. 

London 2013   

Our work does not stop in September 2012 and one of their greatest challenges is to ensure that Londoners gain lasting benefits from London’s hosting of the Games. The Big Opportunity also ensures that community organisations and specialist charities are properly informed and take part in the consultation process that will shape the post-2012 legacy of the Olympic Park and surrounding area.  

If your third sector organisation wishes to join the campaign for an inclusive Games and secure its legacy, you can apply to use The Big Opportunity logo. For more information, please email The Big Opportunity.

The Big Opportunity is made possible by funding from The City Bridge Trust.